Oilfield Security: Protecting the US Energy Infrastructure

Oilfield security is currently a major issue in the United States. Most oil and gas production sites are located in remote locations which has typically made them both prime targets for thieves. They are difficult to monitor so thieves are often able to move in and out quickly with little or no detection. This is driven by the tremendous growth in oil and gas activities, followed by the collapse in commodity prices and associated reductions. These types of thefts range from small items like tools to large, expensive production equipment. There is now a sizable black market for oilfield tools and equipment.

Losses Greater than Money

According to Stop Oilfield Theft, tens of millions of dollars of oilfieldtheft in stolen hardware has been reported by local law enforcement in various oil field locations across the United States. Although this financial loss is significant, there is a recent, more troubling trend of computer thefts which could mean the loss of sensitive, proprietary data which is irreplaceable. Unfortunately, many companies do not utilize cloud storage to backup and store their proprietary data. The long-term potential damage from having this data end up with a competitor makes the situation even worse. For these reasons, security in the oilfield is more important than ever. As the number of instances of oilfield theft continues to increase, so do the tactics of oilfield theives. Companies that rely on outdated oilfield security methods are often putting themselves into a vulnerable position.

Protecting the United States Energy Infrastructure

Our country has made significant progress towards ending our dependency on foreign energy with U.S. oil and gas production increasing ten-fold over the last decade. While this is beneficial for the U.S., it is not a good trend for our foreign energy suppliers. This provides a potential incentive for these suppliers to disrupt our production, especially given our lack of oilfield security nationwide. For the long-term viability of oil and gas production, as we move towards energy independence in the U.S., it is important for oil and gas producers to take the necessary steps to secure their oilfield. There is far too much at stake to leave our valuable energy production infrastructure at risk. Adequate oilfield security must be top of mind for all US oil and gas producers to make sure we continue our significant progress into energy independence.

Technology Enables Better Oilfield Security

Many oil and gas companies assume oilfield security is too expensive, not realizing that advancements in technology have made security more reliable, efficient and affordable. Onsite security guards and gates can now be economically supplemented or supplanted with video surveillance, remote access control, and RFID tagging systems. These systems are not only more cost-effective, but more efficient in terms of accurate reporting and logging. The automation of these crucial oilfield security jobs has been a major advancement for the industry as a whole.